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The Verdict
Neither platform dominates across the board.
AWeber wins on support quality and pricing predictability. Mailchimp wins on integrations and brand recognition. For most small businesses starting fresh, neither is the best value. Moosend and MailerLite both offer more features at lower prices.
Choose AWeber if
- +Businesses that want 24/7 human phone support
- +WordPress users who need a reliable plugin integration
- +Anyone who values deliverability track record over feature count
Choose Mailchimp if
- +Businesses already using Intuit products (QuickBooks, TurboTax)
- +Teams needing the widest integration ecosystem
- +Beginners who want a free plan to start (500 contacts)
Ratings
What reviewers say
AWeber holds a 4.3/5 average rating across 950 reviews. Mailchimp holds a 4.3/5 average across 32,723 reviews. AWeber has a slightly higher rating.
AWeber4.30/5
950 total
4.27/5
32,723 total
Market Presence
Ecosystem comparison
| AWeber | Mailchimp | |
|---|---|---|
| User reviews | 950 | 32,723 |
| Founded | 1998 | 2001 |
| Team size | 100-250 | 1000+ |
| HQ | US | US |
Pricing
Which one costs more?
Both platforms charge based on subscriber count, but pricing structures differ significantly at scale.
| Plan / Tier | AWeber | Mailchimp | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free/Trial | 14-day trial | Free (500 contacts) | Mailchimp wins on free entry, but free plan is heavily limited. |
| 500 Subscribers | $12.49/mo (annual) | $13/mo (Essentials) | Nearly identical pricing at the entry level. |
| 2,500 Subscribers | $22.49/mo (annual) | $45/mo (Standard) | AWeber is significantly cheaper at this tier. |
| 10,000 Subscribers | $62.49/mo (annual) | $100/mo (Standard) | AWeber saves $37.50/month at 10K subscribers. |
| 50,000 Subscribers | $382.49/mo (annual) | $350/mo (Standard) | Pricing converges at very large list sizes. |
Buddy's Take on Pricing
AWeber is cheaper than Mailchimp at most subscriber tiers, especially in the 2,500 to 25,000 range where many small businesses operate. Mailchimp's free plan helps at the start, but costs escalate faster as lists grow. Neither platform offers the best value overall; Moosend and Sender both undercut both on price.
Your Cost
What would you actually pay?
Select your subscribers count. See the real price on both tools.
$12.50/mo
Lite plan at 500 subscribers
$13/mo
Essentials plan at 500 subscribers
/mo cheaper on AWeber at 500 subscribers
That's $6/yr saved
At Scale
How costs diverge as you grow
Features
Capability comparison
AWeber and Mailchimp share core email marketing features but differ significantly in automation depth, pricing structure, and support quality.
| Capability | AWeber | Mailchimp |
|---|---|---|
| Email Builder | ● | ● |
| Automation | ○ | ● |
| Landing Pages | ● | ● |
| A/B Testing | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free Plan | ✗ | ✓ |
| AI Features | ● | ● |
| Integrations | ● | ★ |
| Phone Support | ✓ | ✗ |
| Web Push Notifications | ✓ | ✗ |
| Ecommerce | ○ | ● |
The biggest practical difference is support quality. AWeber provides 24/7 phone and live chat with actual email marketing experts. Mailchimp removed phone support entirely and relies on chatbots and email tickets. For a small law firm that needs help troubleshooting a broken automation at 9 PM, AWeber answers the phone. Mailchimp sends you to a help article.
Mailchimp's integration advantage is substantial. Nearly every SaaS tool, CRM, and ecommerce platform connects to Mailchimp natively. AWeber integrates with 750+ apps, but Mailchimp connects with thousands. If your tech stack already revolves around Mailchimp integrations, switching costs are real.
For a more affordable alternative to both, check my Moosend Review or the MailerLite Review.
AI & Integrations
Which fits your stack better?
API access, automation connectors, and AI readiness. The tools that connect to your stack save you the most time.
| AWeber | Mailchimp | |
|---|---|---|
| MCP ServerConnect to AI assistants (Claude, Cursor) | ✓ | ✓ |
| REST APIBuild custom integrations | ✓ | ✓ |
| ZapierNo-code automation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Make (Integromat)Advanced workflow builder | ✓ | ✓ |
| Security | ||
| SSO | ✗ | ✓ |
| 2FA | ✓ | ✓ |
| Ecosystem | ||
| Support | live-chat, email, phone | live-chat, email, phone |
Who It's For
Who should choose which?
Choose AWeber if you...
- +You want 24/7 phone support with real humans
- +Pricing predictability matters more than a free tier
- +You use WordPress and want a reliable plugin
- +Deliverability reputation is your top priority
Choose Mailchimp if you...
- +You need the broadest possible integration ecosystem
- +A free plan to start is essential
- +Your business already uses Intuit products
- +You need deeper ecommerce integrations
Final recommendation
The bottom line
For most small businesses choosing between AWeber and Mailchimp in 2026, the answer is neither. Both charge premium prices for features that newer platforms include at lower tiers. If forced to choose, AWeber delivers better support and simpler pricing. Mailchimp offers more integrations and a free starting point. But I would point most readers toward Moosend or MailerLite first.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, at most subscriber tiers. AWeber charges $22.49/month for 2,500 subscribers (annual billing) while Mailchimp Standard costs $45/month. The gap narrows at very large list sizes.
Both have strong deliverability. AWeber's 27-year track record and established ISP relationships give it a slight edge, though Mailchimp's larger sending volume also maintains good inbox placement.
Yes. AWeber offers free migration assistance and CSV import. Your subscriber data transfers cleanly. Email templates will need to be rebuilt in AWeber's editor.
Mailchimp has more automation features including customer journeys and predictive demographics. AWeber covers basic autoresponders and behavioral triggers but lacks the depth Mailchimp offers.
More on these tools
Joonas Rotko
Author & founder of That Marketing Buddy
I score marketing software for AI-stack fit (MCP, API, agent-readiness), backed by 10+ years in digital marketing. This comparison is based on structured data from 34 tools in the Email Marketing category.
This page may contain affiliate links. I earn a commission at no extra cost to you. This never influences the comparison.
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